Chemist

ITW•Houston, TX

About The Position

The R&D Formulation Chemist develops aftermarket car care products in a fast-paced, innovative environment, working under the technical collaboration and/or direction of an R&D manager. The role covers research, formulation development, technical evaluation, and stability testing. At least 50% of daily activity is spent at the lab bench creating products and solving technical problems in support of ITW Global Brands’ business strategies. The chemist translates customer needs into product designs and innovation strategies; develops and optimizes formulations; collaborates with raw-material suppliers and cross-functional teams; and leads formula development through the new product introduction process. The role includes developing adhesives and coatings using polymers, silicone oils and derivatives, surfactants, and solvents, as well as supporting scale-up, technology transfer, commercialization, and existing products. The position also involves patent searches, laboratory reporting, use of analytical equipment, and management of research lab technician activities when needed. The role requires adherence to safety, health, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements. Minimal business travel is required, at less than 10%.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, completed or verified before starting.
At least five years of hands-on formulation and product development experience.
Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
Ability to work independently and contribute as a team member.
Strong problem-solving skills and a logical approach to scientific problems.
Detail-oriented, flexible, innovative, and self-motivated; able to perform tasks correctly and consistently.
Willingness to collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance ideas and projects.
Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, including the ability to present ideas clearly to cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and handling laboratory materials and equipment; regular use of hands and fingers; lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionally; wearing required PPE; and working in laboratory, office, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to chemicals, odors, and airborne particles.

Nice To Haves

Formulation and product development experience in consumer-packaged goods, automotive care, coatings, or related applied chemistry industries.
Experience in inorganic and polymer surface modifications.
Knowledge of rubber surface coatings, including coating formulation and low-pressure, low-volume air-assisted spray coating or atomization.
Experience in physical and chemical characterization of surfaces.
Knowledge of surface wetting and non-wetting phenomena.
Knowledge of silicone chemistry.
Knowledge of ISO practices and requirements for manufacturing scale-ups.

Responsibilities

Translate customer needs into effective product designs and customer-driven innovation strategies.
Develop and optimize formulations that provide differentiated performance, stability, and consumer-relevant benefits aligned with brand strategy.
Collaborate with raw-material suppliers to research and create differentiated formulas and coatings.
Design and execute formulation experiments, performance tests, stability studies, and competitive benchmarking.
Partner with Brand, Application, Packaging, and Process Engineering teams to turn technical capabilities into validated product benefits, claims, and consumer-facing messaging.
Lead formula development and work with the R&D Project Manager to deliver projects on time through the new product introduction process.
Develop adhesives and coatings using polymers, silicone oils and derivatives, surfactants, and solvents to address customer and application needs.
Identify project goals, product design requirements, technical approaches, and test strategies; conduct laboratory evaluations and comparison testing; and prepare comprehensive reports.
Conduct patent searches, monitor competitive innovations, and generate intellectual property such as patents, formulation know-how, and trade secrets.
Support formulation scale-up from laboratory to mid-size and full-size manufacturing batches.
Coordinate technology transfer, scale-up, and commercialization with internal departments, and determine product specifications that support manufacturing and customer applications.
Support current products by qualifying alternative raw-material sources and validating performance.
Manage multiple projects and tasks independently and as part of a team, and use analytical laboratory equipment.
Work hands-on in the laboratory and manage daily activities of research lab technician(s) when necessary.
Stay current with relevant safety and regulatory requirements and follow safety, health, environmental, and quality policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.